About Transport's RAP Artwork

‘Our Songlines are Calling’ by Frances Belle Parker (Yaegl Woman)

Commissioned for the Transport for NSW Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2019-2021

‘Our Songlines are Calling’ is a painting which shows the importance of our Traditional Songlines when travelling through country.

As Aboriginal people, we have navigated the country for thousands of years and in that time our natural travelling routes became our Songlines. This is the country in which the landscape sang us home, singing, walking, meeting, sharing and celebrating were regular occurrences when we followed our Songlines. We listened to the Country and in return we were guided safely to our destination.

The view featured is an aerial view in a topographical mapping to symbolise various aspects of Country within NSW. The colours used are to represent the varying aspects of the landscape across NSW, the water which runs from numerous river systems towards the coastline, the bush, desert, and mountains. The small linear markings are representative of the tracks we made whilst we travelled our Songlines.